Thunder bounce back from first loss, thrash Rockets

Field Level Media|published: Fri 8th November, 23:22 2024

NBA: Houston Rockets at Oklahoma City Thunder

Nov 8, 2024; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) drives around Houston Rockets guard Jalen Green (4) during the second quarter at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Chet Holmgren scored 29 points each to lift the Oklahoma City Thunder to a 126-107 win over the visiting Houston Rockets on Friday.

The win was the seventh in eight games for the Thunder, who were coming off their first loss of the season Wednesday in Denver.

The Rockets had a two-game winning streak end as they fell for just the second time in six games.

Gilgeous-Alexander shot 11 of 16 from the floor. Holmgren was 8 of 14, including 4 of 6 from beyond the arc, as Oklahoma City hit 51.1 percent from the floor.

Jalen Williams and Isaiah Joe each had 14 points for the Thunder. Holmgren added a game-high three blocks.

The Thunder forced 17 turnovers and held Houston to 43.3 percent shooting from the field.

The game was the opener of a season-high, six-game homestand for the Thunder.

Dillon Brooks led the Rockets with 17 points. Amen Thompson and Jalen Green each scored 14 points, Tari Eason had 12 and Alperen Sengun and Fred VanVleet contributed 11 apiece. Sengun shot just 3 of 12 from the floor.

Houston's Steven Adams, who has missed five games already this season, including a Wednesday win over the San Antonio Spurs, played a season-high 15:31 off the bench and scored five points.

The Thunder took control in the second quarter, outscoring the Rockets by 24 to take a 75-51 lead into halftime.

Oklahoma City shot 70 percent in the quarter and made 6 of 8 from beyond the arc.

While the Thunder kept up their hot offensive production from the first quarter, Houston's offense slowed to a crawl.

The Rockets missed their first five shots in the second quarter and Oklahoma City started the quarter on a 33-9 run over the first nine minutes to blow the game open.

Ajay Mitchell had seven points and four assists in the quarter and Gilgeous-Alexander and Holmgren scored 10 each in the period.

Oklahoma City stretched its lead to as much as 29 in the third quarter before the Rockets cut into the deficit in the fourth quarter.

--Field Level Media

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